Shanie's Goosie 5/6 Conservative Neck

Welcome to Dodgerslist!  My name is Paula what is yours and what is your doxie's name?  I'm sorry to hear he is having a neck disc problem.

First thing to know is that it IS in the cards for him to get back to enjoying life after recovering. What will make a great deal of difference on your doxie's recovery is your own self education. Knowledge is the best defense in fighting and winning with this disease. Reading others posts on the forum can be of comfort. But the meat of what you do need to know is on our main web page. A very quick way to get up to speed on meds, how healing happens and when for each of the phases is the "Overview: the essentials" yellow button. Then work your way through the rest of the orange and blue buttons to complete your education. Here's the link www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm

Until you have read the above links we want to help you expedite getting things right for him.

There is no  way around doing 100% STRICT crate rest 24/7 only out to potty for a full 8 weeks …. No laps, no couch, no sleeping in bed with you, no meandering, scooting or dragging around during potty times. No baths, no chiro (aka VOM). In other words do everything you can to limit the vertebrae in the neck and  back from moving and putting pressure on the bad disc.

The crate is the only surface that is firm, supportive for the spine, not inclining, always horizontal and keeps a dog from darting off at a TV doorbell and safe from other pets and kids from bothering them. The rest of the details of doing crate rest to ensure the best recovery in this excellent document:
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/CrateRRP.htm

The purpose of crate rest is to act as a cast of sorts to let the disc heal… only limited movement of STRICT crate rest allows that to happen…there are no meds to heal a disc.  As you will read recovery suites can be different things…some are more tolerated than others. A  wire crate or an ex-pen are much better accepted than a plastic airline crate.  Let us know what you are using.  Great information on how to set up your recovery suite here:  www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htm#recoverysuite

Turning circles in the crate is not so much a problem as the real danger of being on your bed. Is the space in the crate only large enough to allow him to turn around, to lie down with legs fully stretched out?   You might try some of the calmers if you believe he needs to relax in his crate: Composure Soft Chews is one many of our members have found to be effective.

With a disc episode is it important to get pain under control. Can you tell us if you are specifically seeing any of these signs of pain during the day or nearing the next dose of Tramdol: shivering, trembling, yelping when picked up or moved, reluctant/slow to move head or body, tight hard tummy, holding leg flamingo style not wanting to bear weight? If yes, his pain meds are not yet right andthe vet needs your feedback to adjust meds.  Are you doing the extra things to help with a cervical disc: 
www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cervical.htm

Stay strong and have good hope, he will likely recover if you can commit to 100% STRICT crate rest. Only your self education will allow you to get your mind around the need for a safe place and a restricted area to heal in….otherwise emotions take control of your decisions. Knowlege is power with this disease.

Hi Shanie,

I'm Christine, welcome to dodgerslist.

It looks like you started a thread last week called, "ppwabit's doxie 4/27 conservative NECK" is that for Goosie? I want to make sure we have the full picture of Goosie's episode in one thread. Thanks for providing some additional details.

I'm so glad that you have started 100% STRICT crate rest for Goosie, this is the most important part of conservative treatment. I know it's really hard to watch when your dog seems unhappy or restless in their crate (my Lola just finished her 8 weeks of crate rest yesterday), but it's worth it in the long run. For me, the more I read about IVDD and understood the disease, the easier it was stay diligent about crate rest. If you haven't already, read through the information in the disc disease 101 section on dodgerslist www.dodgerslist.com/literature.htm

If Goosie is still having issues with his crate, you might try a calmer to help him relax. Using an oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser seems to work best. It takes several days for these to start working, but they are a much better option if you can avoid heavy duty prescription sedatives.

Farnum's Comfort Zone with D.A.P. www.petcomfortzone.com/dogs.html [pheromone diffuser] with one oral calmer from below:

Oral calmers:
1) ANXITANE® S chewable tabs contain 50 mg L-Theanine, an amino acid that acts neurologically to help keep dogs calm, relaxed www.virbacvet.com/products/detail/anxitane-l-theanine-chewable-tablets or tinyurl.com/atxc8l3 

2) Composure Soft Chews are colostrum based like calming mother's milk and contain 21 mg of L-Theanine. 
 www.vetriscience.com/composure-soft-dogs-MD-LD.php [Composure]

If Goosie is wobbly walking on potty breaks, use a sling to support his rear and keep his spine aligned. Male dogs often prefer a figure 8 sling. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies/Figure8.jpg

Now that Goosie's pain is controlled by the medication his body can begin healing. I'm excited to read about his progress.

Christine

If there is still break through pain with the Fentynal patch, call the Vet to inform him. Neck disc episodes are extremely painful as the head moves every time Goosie moves. Please read this link that gives tips on how to help Goosie through Cervical disc pain.   www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cervical.htm. 

Christine covered so many points and she gave you excellent advice about the calmers and crate rest  Goosie will get used to the crate in time, she will learn it is her safe place. My Tyler still goes back to his crate when he wants his quiet time.. He graduated crate rest on March 11th.. There are ways to make it bearable once Goosie's pain is truly under control. Just make sure the crate is in the location where you spend the most time so that he at least feels included. If he whines, ignore him, once he is quiet praise him.. He will soon learn what earns the attention he wants.  Just make sure you are giving him praise when he's relaxed and quiet. 

 It is likely too soon to taper off the Prednisone as evidenced by ongoing pain which means swelling and inflammation is still present. Some dogs need from 2 weeks to even a month to deal with the inflammation. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/healingsweling.htm

Prescription of an anti-inflammatory such as a steroid (Prednisone, Dexamethasone, etc.) or a NSAID (Rimadyl, Metacam, Deramaxx, etc.) should be accompanied by a stomach protector such as Pepcid AC (Famotidine) to avoid serious gastrointestinal damage. For some dogs Pepcid AC needs to be accompanied with yet another protector, Sucralfate, when there are signs of GI problems of diarrhea, vomit, bloody stools. 

Sucralfate compound that forms a gel-like webbing over ulcerated or eroded tissues, thus serving as a sort of a bandage. It is effective in the upper GI tract: stomach, duodenum (upper small intestine), and esophagus. Sucralfate is a prescription drug, and must be obtained from a veterinarian.

Sucralfate is best used on an empty stomach and given 30 minutes before administering Pepcid AC and Pepcid should be given 30 minutes before Prednisone.  
www.marvistavet.com/html/body_sucralfate.html

Sending pain free wishes to Goosie.

Oh yes hes in pain ears are back twitching he has been whining non stop for hours. It sounds like how he whines when he doesnt get his way, but when i take him out to go to the bathroom he just sits there with his head down ears back twitching. I am calling vet
now...

Oh yes hes in pain ears are back twitching he has been whining non stop for hours. It sounds like how he whines when he doesnt get his way, but when i take him out to go to the bathroom he just sits there with his head down ears back twitching. I am calling vet

now...is there some kind of weird side effects he will not stop whining cannot move when i took him out to go potty he just sat down and whined. He is not eating before this patch he was eating fine also not drinking omg what is going on?? i cant leave him in the crate like this he has been crying nonstop since this morning just little whines not yelping 

she said it could be a reaction to the patch she said i could remove it and it wouldwould stop getting into his system in 2 hrs. Well i removed it ummmm they said they were going to shave his hair where they put the patch they didnt, it was wonderful ripping the hair off his leg i got bit in the process. She said she has basically exhausted all resources with me, ( most likely because i am poor) and euthanasia would be my best option..why wasnt i told about this kind of reaction. he has just now stopped crying i gave him tramadol and pepcid. After all of this he can still lift his head he asleep on my bed for now.

I am sorry that you and Goosie are having such a hard time. There are alot of great suggestions for helping Goosie accept that he is stuck in the crate for the duration. If your Vet is being really negative find another one! There is no reason to euthanize your dog because the Vet isn't willing to help you with pain control (Shame on her, shame!) I am keeping you both in thought and prayer - we are all here for you. Don't give up!!

Some vets are not proactive when it comes to protecting the stomach from the excess acid due to steroids and do not prescribe a stomach protectant until AFTER a stomach bleed has occurred. I say - why wait for that??

Okay, so he is on methocarbamol, prednisone, and Tramadol. Has he had any pain attacks today? If he is having breakthrough pain, you can ask your vet (or a new vet) for gabapentin.

Remember to carry him to and from the potty spot, supporting his chest and rear like so: youtube.googleapis.com/v/kyD2IW5m0qY

Hang in there, I know this is stressful. It is stressful for Goosie, too, and he will feed off of any negative emotions you may be having. SO, if you are anxious - he will be anxious. Try to take a deep breath and put a smile on your face and in your voice when you're around Goosie. This is a treatable disease, and once his pain is well-controlled and healing begins, you will feel better, too.

Feel free to read through some of our Success Stories to give yourself hope: www.dodgerslist.com/monthstory.htm

Please keep in touch. ~Lisa

You need to get Sucralfate from the vet ASAP. Have you checked out any of the financial links I gave you earlier?

If Goosie is depressed in the crate, try putting him in an open-air environment such as an ex-pen shown here: www.amazon.com/Midwest-Black-E-Coat-Exercise-Pen/dp/B000H8YTJI/ref=sr_1_1_m?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1368018315&sr=1-1&keywords=exercise+pen
or a play pen.

Please let us know that you have gotten the Sucralfate. Best wishes, ~Lisa

My Buddy has had 4 IVDD episodes:3 back (one requiring surgery) and one neck. The neck was by far the worst. It took a while to control the pain. Let the dog whine and fuss all they want but make sure Goosie stays in the crate;you just have to be the more stubborn animal(not easy-I know!!!!) Best of Luck.

HI EVERYBODY,
well goosie has adjusted to the crate, as long as i am in the same room, otherwise he is frantic, i guess i am lucky i am on disability right now, if I had a job it wouldnt last with this dog..Goosies meds are all the same except for pepcid A.C. WAS ADDED and he is getting off prednisone taking one every other day. What I noticed tonight is, he has a swollen ball on the side of cheek he has had it for a while, I thought it was a bug bite it feels like a mushy cyst. I can guarantee he has a abcessed tooth. Could this vet have misdiagnosed him? it is her first year, I know when I had a toothache before I rolled around for hours on my bed screaming and crying and had to get it pulled that day, Im sure i had spasms in my neck as well. tonight I am going to start him on metrodianazole I am not waiting til monday so it can be more infected left untreated, if anybody knows the dose i should give him please let me know What is your thoughts on this?

Hi, the tooth abscess could be a separate issue from the IVDD, especially since you said he was "wobbly walking." To me, it doesn't sound like a tooth abscess could cause that wobbly walking, but a disc issue sure could.

I would have an experienced vet look at his tooth abscess. They likely will prescribe antibiotics and perhaps want the tooth taken out if it looks really bad.

Also tell the experienced vet that Goosie is on conservative treatment for IVDD and to handle with care and be sure not to manipulate his neck/spine.

It is best to get the abscess looked at immediately as they can cause worse problems if left untreated, such as sepsis. Please let us know how the appointment goes.

Best wishes, ~Lisa

My thoughts and prayers are with you Sweetie. Is there any where else you can go, perhaps somewhere a little further away?

ok he must have been bit by a spider or some kind of insect this just popped from the outside it was a boil. I started him on metronidazole last night i hope this mixes with his meds